Red Ribbon Project Underway With MADD Saskatoon Message: Plan A Safe Trip Home – Saskatoon | The Canadian News

With the holiday season just around the corner, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Saskatoon has launched its annual campaign to promote sober driving.

Project Red Ribbon raises awareness of the risks of drunk driving when celebrations include alcohol, cannabis, or other drugs.

The tapes symbolize a person’s commitment to driving safely and soberly and also serve as a moving tribute to those killed or injured in drunk driving accidents.

“We ask people to put them in their backpacks, their mirrors in their vehicle, their purses, where you think they will show up accordingly,” said MADD Saskatoon President Bonny Stevenson.

“We have the red ribbon boxes that anyone can request to have in their business, that people can pick up the red ribbons or a static window and take it as their own.

“We have some events to come. We will be at the Santa Claus parade … We work, on average, two checkups a month with (Saskatoon Police Service) or Corman Park (Police Service) and we will be handing out red ribbons on those. “

Stevenson, whose son was killed by a drunk driver in Saskatoon, shared how important the campaign is to her.

“It means a lot to me. In 2013, we lost our 17-year-old son, Quinn. Anything we can do to prevent people from getting behind the wheel when they are disabled is huge to us because we really want to make sure that no more families suffer. the loss and the pain that we suffer ”, he said.

“For me, death by a drunk driver is not an accident. It’s a choice to get behind the wheel and we ask people to always make the right decision. “

MADD Saskatoon is urging people to plan ahead for a sober trip home this holiday season.

“Of course, during the Christmas season, there are always a lot more parties, get-togethers … If you’re going out for a night where you plan to drink or smoke cannabis or whatever, plan that safe trip before you go out,” Stevenson said.

“We have a great partnership with Riide and all the other taxi companies. Call a friend, stay on a couch. God, call mom and dad.

“Because I can guarantee that Mom or Dad won’t be bothered at all by waking up at 3:00 in the morning to pick you up. But they will be upset when an officer stands at the door and tells them that their son or daughter has passed away. “

According to the latest statistics from MADD Canada, an average of 10 federal drunk driving charges and short-term provincial license suspensions are imposed in the country every hour.

The campaign will run through January 3, 2022 and the red ribbons are available from MADD Saskatoon at [email protected] or 306-290-8278.